Increase in nurses’ working hours followed extensive discussions, says Dzulkefly

PETALING JAYA: The move to increase the working hours of nurses in hospital wards by three hours underwent multiple rounds of engagement, says health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.

In a Bernama report, Dzulkefly said this included discussions with seven trade unions and nurses associations, adding that views from various quarters were taken into account as he knew that staff shortages had long been an issue.

Noting the opposition to the new directive under the civil service remuneration system (SSPA) which mandates ward nurses to work 45 hours a week effective Dec 1 compared to the previous 42 hours, Dzuklefly said the matter had been discussed in the Cabinet.

“I am very aware of the issue,” he said in his ministry’s winding-up debate on the Supply Bill 2025 in the Dewan Negara.

“We will continue the engagement sessions as this matter has been adopted in the SSPA, the Cabinet and the prime minister also want this to be implemented.”

Earlier, senator Dr A Lingeswaran had asked Dzulkefly’s position on the nurses’ additional working hours.

Dzulkefly explained that despite increasing the working hours from 42 hours a week to 45 hours a week, the nurses’ welfare was not jeopardised due to the more flexible shift hours.

“In the past, nurses had no breaks or time for meals… They had to find the time or take turns,” he said.

“While they have to work additional hours now, the 45 hours include the time spent on eating, praying, and handing over tasks or shifts.”

On Nov 25, five nursing associations requested that the directive be postponed due to a shortage of manpower and increased risks of work-related stress, fatigue, and burnout.

The associations also said increasing nurses’ weekly working hours could undermine the effectiveness of healthcare service delivery and affect the quality of patient care.